The EHF EURO 2018 had a dream ending for hosts France, as
they took their maiden European title in front of a record crowd in Paris. It
was the highest attendance at a Women’s EHF EURO match, with 14,060 fans in
attendance at AccorHotels Arena to watch France beat Russia 24:21 in an
emotional and spectacular game.
France immediately claimed the upper hand against the side
they faced in the Rio 2016 final years ago, but Russia settled into the game
and it was soon a tight contest. France held an advantage of one at the break
after 2016 Olympic Games All-star right back Alexandra Lacrabere scored the
final goal of the half.
France opened the second period stronger and held the
distance steady at two- to three-goals throughout. But nothing was decided
until the final minutes, as Russia captain and Rio 2016 All-star centre back
Daria Dmitrieva closed the gap to 21:23 in the 55th minute when her team still
had plenty of time to level the score and then claim the lead. However, it was
Lacrabere who added the final goal to secure the score of 24:21, while EURO
2018 All-star goalkeeper Amandine Leynaud made critical saves in the closing
minutes.
Earlier on Sunday, the bronze medal was won by the
Netherlands, with a powerful performance against Romania. They led throughout
the 60 minutes, with a 15:8 advantage at half-time and a 24:20 result in their
favour at the final whistle.
Russia’s Anna Vyakhireva was named player of the match in
the final, after being announced as the MVP of the EHF EURO 2018 earlier on Sunday.
The talented right back was also the MVP at the Rio Olympics.
Alongside Leynaud and Vyakhireva, the other members of the
EURO All-star Team were Montenegro’s Majda Mehmedovic on left wing, Norway’s
Stine Oftedal at centre back, Germany’s Alicia Stolle at right back, Spain’s
Carmen Martin at right wing, Romania’s Crina Pintea at line player, and the
Netherlands’ Kelly Dulfer at the best defender position. After being named the
2017 Junior World Championship All-star Team left back earlier this year, Hungarian
Noemi Hafra was named the EURO’s All-star left back.
More information can
be found on the official website
of the EHF EURO 2018.
Photo: EHF / Kolektiff Images